Home
Instructor Information
Office Hours
Links

Speech #1
Self-Introductory Speech -100 pts total

For this assignment, please prepare a speech introducing yourself to the class.  More specifically, I am interested in how you see yourself as a unique person.  In doing this, consider how a particular person, environment, activity, or experience has contributed to making you the person you are today.  One way you might approach this assignment is to (1) tell us an interesting story about yourself, and then (2) demonstrate what this experience says about you as a person or how it has affected you. 

 The main focus of this speech should not be a listing of your basic information: age, major, marital status, siblings, etc.  You can include these things, but try for more in-depth information with some analysis.  You can think of this speech as a storytelling exercise.

Please feel free to explore your creative options.

 Presentation Requirements- 75 points

1. Your speech is to be 3-5 minutes in length.
2. Speech should follow appropriate organizational pattern and use audience analysis
3. You are limited to only three note cards (3x5 or 4x6 only).
4. You are to use the extemporaneous mode of delivery.
5. You must include at least 1 outside source.  The source may be used to support your ideas, define information, gain attention, etc.

 Your speech should include the following:

1. Introduction (15)
   1. Please attempt to get your audience’s attention (“I’m here to tell you about myself” will not count).
   2. Be sure to include a thesis statement that gives your audience the central theme or idea of your speech (“I’m here to tell you about myself” will not count).
2. Body (25)
   1. Because your audience is listening, and therefore unable to review the main points of your speech, take care to use logical organization.
   2. Moreover, it is important that each of your examples is sufficiently developed so that your audience understands the point you are making.
3. Conclusion (15)
   1. Remember to give your audience a brief summary of what you’ve discussed in your speech; wrap things up.
   2. End with a clinching statement that leaves your audience something to remember you by; “that’s it” conclusions reflect a lack of preparation.
4. Delivery (20)
   1. You will use no more than 3 note cards for your presentation.  (3x5 or 4x6 only)
   2. Extemporaneous delivery-aim for a conversational delivery, frequent eye contact, vocal variety, etc

Criteria for grading-oral

Based on (1) clarity, completeness and effectiveness of speech (introduction, body, transitions, conclusion); (2) effective use of supporting materials; (3) effective use of audience analysis and attention factors; (4) presentation skills; (5) adherence to time limit; (6) stating sources within the speech.

Paper- 25 points

1. A paper is due on the day you present your speech.
2. Papers should be typed, black ink, 1-inch margins, double spaced, proofread, and stapled!
3. Include sources in MLA format in a works cited page.
4. Grading will be based on completeness, effectiveness and adherence to guidelines presented in class and this assignment.  Errors in convention should be avoided (grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, etc) as they will reduce the final written grade.

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the creator.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Columbia State Community College.  If you have questions or comments,
please contact lbenns@columbiastate.edu.

This page was last updated on August 26, 2008